out-of-school educational provision for the gifted and talented around the world prof joan freeman
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Out-of-school Educational Provision for the Gifted and Talented around the World Prof Joan Freeman. Report for the Department of Education and Skills (UK). Free on. www.joanfreeman.com. Gifts and talents – a world overview. UK. USA. CHINA. INDIA. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Out-of-school Educational Provision for the Gifted and Talented around the World
Prof Joan Freeman
Report for the Department of Education and Skills (UK)
www.joanfreeman.comFree on
Gifts and talents – a world overview
USA
UK
INDIA
CHINA
A profound world split in attitudes to gifts and talent
The Western view
Only some children have gifted
potential
The Eastern view
Most children have gifted potential
Cultural differences in gifts and talents
WESTEASTBeing
Truthfulness, generosity,
compassion, sacrifice and service to society
Doing
Competitive achievement, often
in academic subjects rather than community
values
Though there is overlap …
The Western view Genetic influences
dominant
Human abilities measurable along a spectrum
Selection by high cut-off point
The Eastern view Environmental influences
dominant
Main difference between individuals is rate of development
Good teaching and hard work bring success
Regional contrasts
Australia and New Zealand
Japan and China
Israel and the Arab and African world
Europe North and South
USA, Canada and South America
Five styles of out-of-school education
1. The Talent Search
2. Self selection by provision
Freeman’s Sports Approach
3. Hard Work
4. Competitions
5. Voluntary provision
Principle Highly achieving youngsters selected by teacher recommendation, portfolios and tests for extra education
Predominant countries
USA, Australia, Israel, UK, HK
Assumptions Gifted children can be distinguished and nurtured in bursts
1. The talent search
The talent search
Center for Talented Youth
CTY
Baltimore USA
Pros Those selected receive excellent extra education and probably improved life-chances
Cons May miss youngsters of equal potential. Expensive per student. Not enough; not sustained.
Outcomes No distinct results. Confused by high proportion of well-off students
No comparison between programmes.
The talent search summary
Out-of-School Education for Gifts and Talents
1. The Talent Search
2. Self selection by provision
Freeman’s Sports Approach
3. Hard Work
4. Competitions
5. Voluntary provision
Principle Open provision and child-led learning enables excellence
Predominant countries
China, ex-Soviet Union, New Zealand
Assumptions Children’s interests allied with opportunities enables excellence
2. Self selection by provision
Children’s Palaces in China
Self selection by provision
Pros No child barred by tests or money
Many facilities already available
Need not be expensive
Freeman’s Sports Approach
Cons Without concerted organisation, provision could be patchy
Outcomes Difficult to pin-point, but Far Eastern successes in international competitions are increasingly outstanding
Self selection by provision summary
Out-of-School Education for Gifts and Talents
1. The Talent Search
2. Self selection by provision
Freeman’s Sports Approach
3. Hard Work
4. Competitions
5. Voluntary provision
Principle Success depends on hard work of both child and teacher
Predominant countries
The Far East, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan
Assumptions Each child starts with similar potential
3. Hard work
Pros Child, teacher and parent work together. Supported by research evidence
Cons Pressure and work-load on the child can be heavy, cutting into creativity and leisure
Outcomes Educational surveys show Far Eastern success outstanding
Hard work summary
Out-of-School Education for Gifts and Talents
1. The Talent Search
2. Self selection by provision
Freeman’s Sports Approach
3. Hard Work
4. Competitions
5. Voluntary provision
Principle Voluntary aim for prizes and prestige
Can be inexpensive to run
Predominant countries
Germany, Eastern Europe, and many other parts of the world.
Assumptions Gifts and talents are associated with competitiveness
4. Competitions
Pros Open to all and attractive. Easily controlled and relatively inexpensive
Cons No concern for educational context
Requires competitive spirit
Non-winners miss out on extra help
Standards can vary
Outcomes
Prizes can improve life chances e.g. in music or chess
Competitions summary
Out-of-School Education for Gifts and Talents
1. The Talent Search
2. Self selection by provision
Freeman’s Sports Approach
3. Hard Work
4. Competitions
5. Voluntary provision
Principle Concerned adults provide extra education for bright children
Predominant countries
Everywhere in the world
Assumptions The official educational system is not providing adequately for the gifted and talented
5. Voluntary provision
Pros Access to activities usually open.
A force for positive changes to national systems
Cons Not always in concert with schools.
Not concerned with children whose parents are not members
Provision can be amateur
Outcomes Quality and outcomes unknown
Voluntary provision summary
Where would you send these individuals?
We know that high level achievement needs -
Plentiful learning materials
High quality teaching
Plenty of practice
Example to follow
Emotional support
Potential
Provision – a holistic approach
WESTEAST
Avoids the
DOMINANCEof ways of thinking
Communication – the key
WESTEAST
Internationalunderstanding
Knowledge sharingNetworking
Conferences